Scaling and Root Planing - Deep Cleaning![]() When are Scaling and Root Planing Necessary?When bacteria are allowed to adhere to teeth and grow, it creates a thin, sticky film known as plaque. Plaque is constantly growing on your teeth, but it's so thin that seeing it is difficult. If you neglect to clean your teeth properly, the bacteria found in plaque can make your gums inflamed, causing the gums to recede from your teeth. Once your gums recede, pockets are formed. These pockets are soon filled with a plaque that you cannot remove via regular brushing. Unless we treat it, gum disease can cause tooth and bone loss. We seek to nip this disease in the bud by employing a professional cleaning before it damages the structures underlying your teeth. However, if the damage to the tissue and bone is severe, we will need to use scaling and root planing to repair it. What is the Procedure for Scaling and Root Planing?The scaling and root planing procedure may require multiple visits and a local anesthetic. The deep cleaning has two parts. ScalingDuring scaling, Dr. Eshraghi will take off all the plaque and tartar that have accumulated above and below the gum lime. He will make sure to clean the affected area thoroughly, even down to the bottom of the pocket. Root PlaningDuring the root planing procedure, Dr. Eshraghi will smooth out the roots of your teeth. This will allow them to reattach to your gums more easily. Recovery PeriodYou might have some minor side effects for a couple of days after the procedure is complete. These side effects include swelling, tenderness or bleeding in the gums. If these side effects persist for a few weeks after the procedure, contact us. Contact us right away if you get a fever, your pain gets worse, or the affected area doesn't heal properly. Dr. Eshraghi may prescribe a mouthwash or medication to prevent infection, expedite the healing process, or keep the pain under control after the procedure. He may also insert medication into the cleansed pocket directly. We will also schedule another appointment to ensure that your gums are healing properly and measure how deep your pockets are. If they have deepened, we may need to give you further treatment. To prevent gum disease (or prevent it from returning), we strongly encourage you to observe proper dental care at home. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss once a day, eat a balanced diet low in sugar, avoid tobacco usage, and get plenty of exercise. When you brush your teeth, use a brush with soft bristles and remember to get in between your teeth every day. Lastly, make sure you schedule dental exams and cleanings once every six months. If you have any other questions or concerns, please give us a call at (971) 317-8414. |